Roger Penske kicked off his 2025 motorsports season with yet another remarkable display of prowess, as Porsche Penske Motorsport triumphed at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking its second consecutive win at this prestigious endurance event. The team’s success has solidified their stronghold on North American sports car racing, showcasing the dedication and talent of their drivers Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Laurens Vanthoor.
Competing at the legendary Daytona International Speedway, the Rolex 24 has become synonymous with endurance racing, attracting 61 cars and 235 drivers from around the globe. Remarkably, this year's race echoed back to Team Penske's debut at Daytona back in 1966 and bolstered their legacy with a 20th overall victory at this classic event.
“What an incredible day for the entire Porsche Penske Motorsport organization. Both of our Porsche 963s and the drivers showed great speed and reliability,” said Roger Penske shortly after the win. “Not only did we secure the overall victory, but we also highlighted the respect and camaraderie within our team.”
The race began under bright skies on Saturday but presented challenges throughout its grueling 24 hours, yet the No. 7 Porsche 963 shone exceptionally well. Nasr took the lead with 22 minutes left on the clock after successfully executing a pass on his teammate Matt Campbell, who piloted the No. 6 car. This maneuver proved decisive, as Nasr's relentless determination allowed him to maintain his lead and clinch victory by just 1.335 seconds against Tom Blomqvist, who finished second driving the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura.
“To win this race back-to-back is incredible,” Nasr said, overwhelmed with emotion. “I just cried in the car. I don’t know what to say. Incredible.” His sentiments reflected not just his personal achievement, but the larger significance this win held for the entire Porsche Penske family.
Adding to the jubilation, Nick Tandy's victory at Daytona earned him the distinction of having achieved the historic 'grand slam' of endurance racing by winning at all four major 24-hour races: Le Mans, Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, and now Daytona. “To be the first person ever to do something is quite unbelievable, really,” Tandy stated, radiantly proud of this remarkable achievement.
Despite Nasr's dominating performance, the race was competitive, filled with nail-biting moments as he and Campbell constantly traded places. For Penske, watching his drivers go wheel-to-wheel with under 20 minutes to go was excruciatedly tense. “We didn’t talk to them about not racing each other, but obviously, these guys are racers, and fortunately, we didn’t getinto trouble,” Penske noted, emphasizing the need for teamwork amid fierce competition.
Other teams, including those from BMW and Cadillac, vied intensely for positions but faced obstacles, eliminating them from contention. Amongst these rivals, Cadillac Racing's Earl Bamber expressed disappointment after leading but falling short due to mechanical issues. “We were very competitive and had something to fight for at the front. It’s a shame. I guess we all just have to come back next year,” he remarked, highlighting the volatile nature of endurance racing.
The success at Daytona not only aligns with the team's previous accolades, including consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships and wins at the Indianapolis 500, but it positions Porsche Penske Motorsport as the frontrunner for upcoming races, including the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring scheduled for March. This dominant start to the season sets high expectations for both Penske’s team and their fans.
“We’ve got one organization now, and we can say we did it again,” Penske concluded, hinting at the promising road ahead filled with new opportunities and challenges. With the emotional rollercoaster of the Rolex 24 now behind them, the team is already eyeing their next victorious moment.
Indeed, as the roar of engines quiets at Daytona, the spirit of competition continues to drive the legacies of Roger Penske and his legendary team. With remarkable resilience and unparalleled teamwork, Porsche Penske Motorsport has undeniably set the pace for the rest of the season with their back-to-back Rolex 24 victories.